Macedonia Daily.org: June 2007

Saturday, June 30, 2007

FIRES ACROSS MACEDONIA LOCALISED

Culture.

All fires, that broke out in the past few days throughout Macedonia, are localised, officials with the Crisis Management Center said.

The fires in the area of Karabuniste village (Veles), Krivolak proving ground, the area of Katlanovo village (Skopje), as well as several other small-scale fires are localised.

MD: The heat wave has gone way, but it is still very hot and dry.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

ROMAN FORUM AT STOBI SHOWS IT'S WALLS

Culture.

The Roman Forum in the archaeological site of Stobi has showed its grandness, impressive 5.5 meter-high arches that make the Forum a unique structure discovered so far in Macedonia.

This has confirmed assumptions of archaeologists at the Museum of Macedonia, who have conducted excavations at the site with CISS Italian organization from Palermo since 2005 that the main entrance is located in the west section of the structure where three new monumental arches have been discovered.

This is the most significant discovery from the excavations this year that started in May and were presented in a press conference yesterday, attended by the Macedonian and Italian partners.

MD: Funded by CISS in Palermo, the excavations will continue in the second half of August and they will likely continue in the next six months.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

NEW PROJECT OF MACEDONIAN MUSICIAN IN HOLLAND

Culture.

Macedonian musician Aleksandra Popovska is having a premiere of a multimedia project, “Every Man” in Amsterdam today. The author of the project is a Chilean video artist, Christian Chierego who has conceived the project in one of the most alternative spaces in Amsterdam, famous as the venue for the far renowned Robodoc Festival.

The project is an act happening in life, and is conceived as a social and media experiment on dreams, Popovska says. According to Chierego, the project expresses his own experience with dreams set in the collective and objective space where everything is expressed in real time.

This is Popovska’s second cooperation with Chierego after his appearance at Popovska’s performance, “Buchefalo” in Utrecht in March.

MD: In the Netherlands, Popovska is preoccupied with applied music and theory besides standard music expression forms.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Friday, June 29, 2007

SCHEFFER AT EAPC FORUM IN OHRID

National.

NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer arrived in Ohrid today and held a meeting with the Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski shortly before the official launching of the second Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Security Forum in Ohrid tonight.

President Branko Crvenkovski will host a reception for the heads of delegations taking part at the Ohrid Forum.

The Forum, organized by NATO and hosted by Macedonia, will bring together delegations of all 49 EAPC member-states and some 20 ministers of defense, foreign affairs and economy of the NATO member-states and of the region. The delegations will include some 1.500 members.

Interior Ministry has authorized security upgrades in Ohrid, with more than 5.000 police officers dispatched in the city

Most of the delegations landed at the Ohrid's airport "St. Paul" in the afternoon hours.

MD: On every corner of the streets stand a policemen, they collected all 100 police chrysler cars of the whole of Macedonia to Ohrid.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

SIGHTS OF MACEDONIA

National.

Macedonian police-coast guard speedboat on patrol in the Ohrid lake during the NATO Summit which is being held in Ohrid this week.

(Photo credit should read Macedonia Daily)

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

AVERAGE NET SALARY ABOVE 14.000 MKD

National.

In April 2007, average monthly net-paid wage per employee totaled 14.291 denars, State Statistical Office said on Thursday.

The April net-paid wage marked 1.6-percent nominal increase and 1.2-percent increase in real terms comparing to March 2007.

The average monthly net-paid wage in April 2007 marks a nominal increase of 8.4% and 7.3% increase in real terms comparing to April 2006.

The biggest growth of 57.2% in average monthly net-paid salary in April 2007 comparing to previous month was reported in division manufacturing of rubber and plastic products.

MD: In April 2007, 12.8 percent of employees in Macedonia didn't receive any pay.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, June 28, 2007

VEGETARIAN FOOD AND QUALITY MACEDONIAN WINE FOR P!NK

Entertainment.

World pop-rock star, P!NK, who will hold a concert in the Skopje city stadium today isn't acting as a spoiled person, and she does not ask for the impossible, Vest newspaper informed.

She did not ask for anything special. According to the organizers, Avalon productions, P!NK only asked for vegetarian food, because of her actions as an ambassador of "PETA". Besides vegetarian food for her and her crew she also asked for water, different kind of juices and high quality Macedonian red wine.

P!NK will be in Skopje for three days, she is staying in the Presidential suite at the "Alexander Palace" hotel in Skopje. She arrived in Macedonia yesterday afternoon at "Alexander the Great" Airport in a luxury Mercedes and she will leave Saturday morning. What she will do in these three days? We don't know, that's been kept secret by her management.

"We are delighted that P!NK and her crew will stay here for three days, it is even better to know that Macedonia never had such a big star paying a visit with a concert. Untill now we organised 190 concerts, but this one is different. The podium is 24 meters wide, and thus the biggest ever made in our country. The music and the lights are from Belgrade and was applied 4 days before the concert." ,Avalon productions informed.

MD: We don't know if it is really interesting to know all this, but well, let's hope she likes our wines :)

[Kanal 77]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:18 am | Permalink | Comments

HIGH TEMPERATURES LEAD TO WATER SHORTAGE

National.

The high temperatures in Macedonia “triggered the alarm” for problematic water supply in most of the municipalities in the country, Kanal 77 radio informs.

Large part of Bitola has been without water since Tuesday morning, while Strumica and Stip mark a record consumption of drinking water. It is also possible that water-supply restrictions will be imposed in the two towns.

MD: Weather forecasts say high temperatures will be hitting the country till thursday, then a slight drop is expected, to the relief of much Macedonians, especially the elderly.

[Kanal 77]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN MACEDONIA AND AUSTRIA

Culture.

A Macedonian-German co-production, the film “Contact” is opening at the Votiv Cinema in the centre of Vienna this evening. Dignitaries and distinguished figures in the host country have been extended invitations for the opening.

They will be addressed by Macedonian Minister of Culture Arifhikmet Xhemaili in an event that is only seen as the start of a long-term cooperation in cultural exchange and Macedonian presentation in this country. Minister Dzemaili is meeting representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Austria and the management of important institutions in the country today to present Macedonian plans for cultural cooperation and define the contours of joint projects with the Austrian officials.

After the opening, “Contact” will be included in the regular programme of the Votiv Cinema. Based on the screenplay by Gordan Mihi, the film is directed by Sergej Stojanovski.

MD: 'Contact' enables better cultural exchanges between these two countries.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

OHRID LAKE WATER IS CLEAN

National.

The water of the Ohrid Lake is mostly of first category quality, including the coastline belt along the beaches on the Macedonia side.

The results of the measurements carried out at as many as 28 different locations by the Ohrid's branch office of the Healthcare Protection Office (HPO) showed this, Makfax's correspondent reported.

According to the results of the physical and chemical analysis, 61.2 percent of the water samples have been classified as Category 1, while 38.8 percent were of Category 2.

HPO informed that the four rivers flowing into the lake - Velgoshka, Koselska, Sateska and Cherava are the biggest polluters of the lake.

The analyses showed that 50 percent of the water of these lakes is of third class and 50 percent of fourth class. Pursuant to the Ordinance on Water Classification, these waters should be of second class.

MD: Good to know, when planning to head over to Ohrid and jump in the lake at these extremely high temperatures :)

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

KIRIL DZAJKOVSKI AT INDZIJA WITH RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS

Culture.

Kiril Dzajkovski performed at the Tuborg Green Festival opening in Indzija near Belgrade. The festival stars were the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and besides Kiril, the audience saw performances of Ritam nereda, Edo Maajka and Kasebijan.

The concert was seen by 80,000 people and thus being the largest in the Peppers’ European tour this year that was kicked off in Spain on 22nd June.

MD: Bravo to Kiril! Many Macedonians went to this concert.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

PUTIN DID NOT WANT MACEDONIA TO CHANGE IT'S STAND

National.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not want Macedonia to change or withdraw its stand on declaring Kosovo independence, Macedonian Head of State Branko Crvenkovski refuted the information posted in some media that in Zagreb President Putin tried to exert pressure on Macedonia to admit the Russian stand on Kosovo, Macedonian television A1 reported.

Crvenkovski said the two had talked about Kosovo on Sunday, June 24 in Zagreb within the energy meeting of heads of state of the countries from Southeastern Europe.

[Focus]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

HEAT WAVE IN THE BALKANS

Regional.

Southeastern Europe baked in searing temperatures, which is unusual for this period of the year.

Turkey will be hit with another heat wave as of Tuesday, with temperatures rising five to six degrees above the June average, Macedonia will also notice higher temperatures of this wave. Electricity supplies, particularly in Greece and Albania, were straining to keep up with demand as air conditioning use spiked during the year's first major heat wave.

Temperatures in Macedonia reached 40C to 46C while some places in Turkey the temperatures reached to 51C, according to state media.

The heatexacerbated by high humidity and pollution levels, had tourists and residents scurrying for shade and guzzling cold water. Many abandoned the cities for local beaches.

Meteorologists said this could be the warmest June in 90 years and that the Balkans are on track for the hottest summer in a quarter century - adding fuel to global warming fears.

Romania has been particularly hard hit. 20 people have died of heat-related causes in the past few days, including 14 in the capital, Bucharest, the country's Health Ministry said

MD: It really is hot, the climate is changing, it seems that Macedonia has got Egyptian climate and northern Europe, the Balkan climate.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

SIGHTS OF MACEDONIA

National.

Security helicopters on patrol above the Ohrid lake in Macedonia ahead of the NATO forum which is being held in Ohrid this week.

(Photo credit should read Macedonia Daily)

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

BORIS TRAJKOVSKI'S BIRTHTDAY OBSERVED

National.

The manifestation "Memories of Boris Trajkovski," an annual manifestation observing the birth of the late president Boris Trajkovski, took place Monday at the "Arbored Walk of the Greats" in the Butel cemetery.

The event is part of the program by Butel municipality, dubbed "Days of Butel Municipality."

- The current developments in and around our country are another late confirmation that President Boris Trajkovski was ahead of his time and that his political moves were part of deeply well-though out programme with long-term goal for the welfare of Macedonia and its citizens who were always at his heart, Butel municipality mayor Petre Latinovski said in his address.

Prof. d-r. Vlado Popovski referred to memories and truths about President Boris Trajkovski emphasising that he was the main figure of peace in the events of 2001. In 2001 President Boris Trajkovski faced many challenges and was under great pressure to agree on military operation but he did not yield because he knew that the future of Macedonia is in peace, Popovski added.

The wife of the President Boris Trajkovski, Vilma Trajkovska and delegations of municipalities of Butel, Kisela Voda, Gazi Baba and Gjorce Petrov laid fresh flowers at the tomb of Boris Trajkovski after the manifestation

MD: The new build sports stadium which we informed you about a while ago, will bear the name of Boris Trajkovski.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Monday, June 25, 2007

WIN FOR THE LIONS AGAINT THE KNIGHTS

Sports.

Macedonian Australian football club, Preston Lions reclaimed their rightful position on top of the table as a crowd of three thousand witnessed the Preston Lions disposing of its former NSL rival the Melbourne Knights in round sixteen of the Foxtel Cup (VPL) at BT Connor Reserve.

The lions scored the first goal in the opening minutes of the match as former Macedonian international Blaze Georgioski pounced on a loose ball in the box and slotted in past the helpless Knights keeper. Georgioski was in the thick of it again just twenty minutes later as his pass from the wing found Zoran Petrovski in the box, his shoot was deflected by the keeper but went straight to the feet of Preston forward John Sapazovski who calmly tapped the ball in the give the Lions a handy two goal lead.

Next week the Preston Lions Football Club meet its neighbour the Fawkner Blues in round seventeen of the Foxtel Cup (VPL) on Sunday 1st of July at 3.00pm at CB Smith Reserve

MD: Bravo to the Lions, they've again extended their unbeaten streak to 14 matches!

[Prestonlions.com]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

ME AND MY IPOD: MARTINA

MD Network

This week the iPod top 5 of Martina Pavloska from Tokyo, Japan (!)

1- UB40- Nothing without you
2- Bjork - Earth Intruders
3- Superhiks - Mashenka
4- Bastion - Hollywood
5- Black Uhuru - Guess who's coming to dinner

Do you want to share your iPod top 5?
Mail to: songs@macedoniadaily.org

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

NATO SENDS INSPECTION TEAM TO OHRID AHEAD OF EAPS SUMMIT

National.

NATO's inspection team is due to arrive in Ohrid today to carry out the final check-up in terms of organization of the EAPS security forum slated for 28-29 June.

Everything is ready for the NATO forum, said Adnan Qahil, minister without portfolio, the chief of the Macedonia's coordinating team that will take part in the NATO's inspection.

About 600 participants and 200 journalists are expected to attend the event.

More than 3.000 police officers will be responsible for participants' security and a special traffic flow regime will be in place during the summit.

Most of the delegations are scheduled to land at the Ohrid Airport, where the new VIP lounge was put into operation today.

In addition, the airport's staff has been supplemented with their colleagues from the Skopje Airport. The director of the Air-Traffic Administration Zoran Krstevski said that the Ohrid Airport is absolutely safe and ready to receive some 50 airplanes that will transport the delegations participating at the NATO forum.

MD: This is a big event in Ohrid, the whole city is full of police, security, decorated with new street lights and street signs to make it look more attractive to the visitors.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, June 23, 2007

BITOLA CULTURAL SUMMER AT HERACLEA

Culture.

A music and drama happening by Katerina Momeva directed by Saso Ognenovski, “Herakleya and Lykintij,” an ancient love story on mythical towns such as Verona, Vienna, Paris...Bitola that keep love in their pulses as a spiritual food, is opening the BIT Fest today (through 25th August).

Music for the play is composed by Miodrag Necak, the stage designer is Dragan Angelkovic, costume designer in Blagoj Micevski, and Olga Pango has made choreography. The cast includes Pavlina Novakova-Georgiev, Ivan Jercic, Maja Andonovska, Mitko S. Apostolovski.

A number of artists and authors from the country and Greece, Turkey, Serbia, the Netherlands and China will perform on the open stages and showrooms within the Cultural Summer. They will all present a part of their cultural preoccupations, and folk motifs, theatre plays and other stage performances are planned.

MD: The festival and cultural season has begun, there is so much to see on the field of culture.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

NEW SHOPPING MALL TO BE ERECTED IN DOWNTOWN SKOPJE

National.

A new shopping mall is to be built soon near the old railway station.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communication announced a public bidding today for a 5.388 square meters of state-owned land, 2.950 of which account for a construction site.

The starting price has been set to 5.000 denars/square meter.

The Ministry will be receiving applications until 26 July 2007 and the bidding itself will take place at the Ministry's premises on 30 July.

MD: After the succes of Ramstore, other companies are looking to build new big malls in the Skopje area too

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

TOUGHER CRITERIA FOR SECURITY ENTOURAGE

National.

The alterations and supplements to the law on security services will boost the professionalism of the private security agencies in Macedonia.

This was the keynote of the international conference on private security, taking place in Ohrid. The event was organized by the Chamber of Security Services and the Ministry of Interior. The new law also foresees tougher criteria for the agencies conducting security services.

Marinko Kostovski, the head of Interior Ministry's Commission on Supervision of Private Security Agencies, said the new law will enter in effect this month. A four-member board, set up by the interior minister, will oversee the work of the Chamber and the agencies, including their staff.

"If an agency is found to be in violation of legal authorizations, its work license can be terminated," Kostovski said. The Ohrid conference brought together representatives of some 50 private security agencies operating in Macedonia, as well as experts and guests from Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Kosovo.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, June 21, 2007

ME AND MY IPOD : IVANA

MD Network

This is our new feature on MD, "Me and my iPod".
Weekly we will ask various Macedonian people from around the globe to share their top-5 songs they have on their iPod, with us and the Macedonians across the world.

This week we have Ivana from Toronto:

1- Rihanna ft. Jay Z - Umbrella
2- Justin Timberlake - Summer love
3- Karolina Goceva - Mojot svet
4- Bubba Sparxx ft. Timbaland - Deliverance
5- Akon - Don't matter

Do you want to share your iPod top 5?
Mail to: songs@macedoniadaily.org

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

PHILHARMONIC OPENS SKOPJE SUMMER

Culture.

A concert of the Macedonian Philharmonic on the floor outside the Army Centre is opening the 28th Skopje Summer Festival tomorrow. The concert will be held under the baton of Borjan Canev with the soloists: Ana Kondratenko and Vladimir Kostov, pianists; Zdravko Angelov, clarinet player; Paskal Krapovski, violoncello; and Dragan Mladenovski, trumpet. Pieces by Smokvarski, Vivaldi, Mozart, Haydn, Piazzola and Ravel are included in the programme. In the next 40 days, the festival is offering a programme with a number of music events, theatre plays, films and art shows.

Besides the symphonic concert of the Philharmonic, the opening of the Skopje Summer 2007 will be marked with a retrospective exhibition of works by Venjamin Hadzinaumov at the National Gallery of Macedonia on 21nd June.

"We have tried to make a programme that will show the level and the reputation of the festival and the city as the host of such an international event, Nkola Gligorov, Director of the Directorate of Culture and Art said at a press conference yesterday. He announced visiting performances of artists from the United States, Montenegro, Serbia, France, Britain, the Netherlands...and promotion of new open stages in the capital.

By the end of the festival on 31st July, audiences will see 61 contents most of which are 29 music events as well as 12 art shows, 11 film screenings and nine theatre plays. This year, the emphasis is put on promotion of young and prosperous authors that are still being recognized in their respective areas. The Cafe Cinema and Blues and Soul Festival are traditional contents of the festival.

The first major art event within the Skopje Summer is promotion of electronic book edition of “Lazar Licenoski” released by Braka Miladinovci City Library in Skopje and Gjurga Publisher with the Macedonian Film Library in collaboration with Vardar Film. an exhibition of works by Lazar Licenoski will be displayed at the Daut Pasin Amam and opened by art critic Ljuben Paunovski.

MD: This is a wonderful event, if you have the chance, pay a visit!

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:14 am | Permalink | Comments

20 MINISTERS TO ATTEND EAPC FORUM IN OHRID

National.

Some 20 ministers of the region's countries and of NATO member-states have confirmed their presence at the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Security Forum, to be held next week in Ohrid. Macedonian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Shpresa Jusufi told Makfax news agency that the forum will bring together ministers of foreign affairs, defense and economy. One of the themes will be energy security.

NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer will chair the Ohrid forum, organized by NATO and hosted by Macedonia. The highlights of the two-day forum will include Kosovo, Afghanistan and energy security. "This will be an extra promotion of the Republic of Macedonia as candidate-country for NATO membership and serious partner of EPAC given the fact that the country proved itself as a firm partner within EAPC," Jusufi said.

The forum, which aims to expand discussion within EAPC through informal stands that can set guidelines on further work of the Council, will be attended by prominent policy-makers and NGOs. Also invited are representatives of multinational energy companies to discuss energy safety, one of the themes of Ohrid forum.

The Partnership Commission of the Adriatic Charter meets at the completion of six-month coordination of a member-state of the Adriatic Charter. Macedonia was a coordinator-country in the period of January-June this year.

MD: This meeting will examine the joint achievements over NATO membership aspirations and activities in the run up to NATO's summit in Bucharest.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

P!NK IN MACEDONIA

Entertainment.

The greatest female pop-rock attraction, P!NK will visit Macedonia with a concert on the 28th of June at the Skopje City Stadium at 21.00 local time.

P!NK, born as Alicia Beth Moore, was born in Doylestown, Pensylvania, USA. She started singing in local clubs and as a backing vocal for Diana Ross, soon she scored major hits like, “Let’s get this party started” “Stupid girls” and “Family portrait” taking her on the top spots of charts across the world.

You can find tickets at: Jugoton, Chuv de Chuv, Vero 2, Tobacco, Kamrad in Ramstore, Aris Film in Caircanka, Zis Tobacco, Trend, Living Room, Lee; in Gostivar, Tetovo and Kichevo: Sabah T-Mobile; in Ohrid and Struga: Mielma; in Bitola: Loudness music and in Prilep: Kavalli.

MD: This will really be "The" event of the year in Macedonia!

[P!NK]

[P!NK Avalon.com.mk]

[T-mobile.com.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

UMD URGES GREECE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S INHUMANE TREATMENT OF MACEDONIANS

Regional.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) commemorates the plight and mass exodus of thousands of Macedonian children during the Greek Civil War (1946-1949).

The United Macedonian Diaspora calls upon Greece to recognize the inhumane treatment of these Macedonians since 1946 and to repeal the law enacted in 1982 designed to repatriate only "Greeks by genus" and the law enacted in 1985 designed to return confiscated properties only to "Greeks by genus."

The United Macedonian Diaspora also calls upon the Greek Government to reverse its systematic denial of basic human rights to all ethnic and religious minorities within Greece.

MD: It's about time

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

'DUST' PRESENTED AT KINSHASA FESTIVAL AND 'BEFORE THE RAIN' IN TALINN

Culture.

The most successful of Macedonian directors, and since recently, the Ambassador of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia Milcho Manchevski’s “Dust,” will be shown at the Film Festival in Kinshasa, Congo on 25th June. A curiosity is that the film coming from South East Europe is being screened in Africa since we can be said to be an unknown culture to Africa.

This is the second screening of Manchevski’s films on this continent. His film “Before the Rain,” Macedonia’s most successful export, was distributed in the South African Republic cinema network in 1996 and was shown on TV and through video presentations in the next several years.

Additionally, screening of “Before the Rain” was organized at the EU Culture and Information Centre in Tallinn, in organization of the Macedonian diplomatic mission in Estonia last month.

Although widely distributed on all continents and in more than 60 countries, this is the first screening of “Before the Rain” in the Baltic and at the same time, the first ever screening of a Macedonian film and Macedonian in these areas. The screening was attended by diplomats, students and other film admirers, and everybody was delighted with it. "This master-piece presents our country and culture we come from in a marvellous manner," Nenad Kolev, Macedonian diplomatic representative in Estonia said. “Thank you for enabling us to feel proud of being Macedonians,” he told Manchevski. A receipt with presentation of Manchevski’s work and our country and history was held after the screening.

MD: And Manchevski's international presentation keeps going on!

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

TOŠE POPULAR IN HOLLYWOOD

Entertainment.

American actor, director and writer Emilio Estevez and his wife Sonja Magdevska, who is of Macedonian descent, seem to listen to our star, Toše Proeski's album, "Bozilak" alot.

Emilio liked his music so much that he often plays the CD when having guests at his house.

The Estevez family really want to meet Toše sometime, but because of their busy lives they still did not had the chance to do so. "It's great they like the album so much and Toše is seeing that as a very big compliment!" , Toše's manager, Liljana Petrovik said.

Toše's new album in English is finished and the promotion will be in two months. Besides that the popstar has finished two new songs for his Macedonian album. The album will have 14 songs with help of songwriters, Miroslav Rus and Antonija Sola, with whom he recorded a duet "Volim osmijeh tvoj" which is currently ranked first in the Croatian and Macedonian charts.

MD: Emilio Estevez, who we all know of "The breakfast club", "Bobby", Paula abdul's ex-husband and as Charlie Sheen his brother, has been engaged to Sonja since September last year.

[Vest]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

INTERNET USE ON THE RISE

National.

A third of the population in Macedonia use the Internet on a regular basis, and nearly half of the population use computers, according to a recent survey showing positive trend in Internet usage. The results of this year's survey, conducted by Strategic Marketing and Media (SMMRI), indicate an increase in Internet and computer usage compared to the identical survey carried out in 2006.

The survey was conducted in accordance with international standards for computer and Internet usage. It was funded by the USAID, part of the U.S. Mission to Macedonia. According to the survey, a significant increase of 5% in Internet usage appears to have occurred over the last 12 months. The usage of computers has also increased by 4% and the number of households with a computer has increased by 3%.

USAID Education Office Director, Dwaine Lee, said the Internet usage is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

The accelerated economic growth, education institutions development, education of citizens in a modern economy cannot be done without using the benefits and advantages of information technology, Lee said. He was pleased with the positive trend in Internet usage in Macedonia.

Macedonian Minister of IT Society Ivo Ivanovski said the government's activities aim to develop infrastructure and boost competitiveness in telephony, which will result in cutting down of prices of services.

Ivanovski also spoke about free internet projects and free internet education for the Macedonian citizens.This year's survey results show a decrease in disparity of internet users between Skopje and other cities in Macedonia, which was seen as a positive trend.

MD: Finally, more people to use inet and the worlds first country with all wireless coverage! Macedonia is at the bottom of the European list of internet usage.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

EVERYTHING BITOLA

Diaspora.

If you are into or from Bitola, and we know many of you are :), you should have a look at this Bitola blog/website! It has got is all new design up and running and is ready to serve you with everything Bitola!

Anyway, here you go

Also take a peek @ Bitolablog.de (It's in German though)

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

MD SONG OF THE WEEK

MD Network

Number one in Macedonian charts, Justin Timberlake - Summer Love.

Any ideas for the next “Song of the Week”? Let us know!
Mail to: songs@macedoniadaily.org

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:14 am | Permalink | Comments

Monday, June 18, 2007

LIONS DRAW OAKLEIGH CANNONS

Sports.

Macedonian Australian football club Preston Lions ended this weekend's game against the Oakleigh Cannons with a 0-0 draw at B.T. Connor Reserve. The scoreless draw was played out in wet and woolly conditions in front of a healthy crowd of 2000 parochial Lions’ supporters, ending Preston’s run of five consecutive wins.

The first chance of the match fell to Marino Gasparis, but the Preston midfielder skewed his shot. On the verge of half time the home side came brutally close to taking the lead; Johnny Sapazovski found time and space down the left wing and his pinpoint cross located the head of Zoran Petrovski who was denied by a brilliant finger-tip save from Oakleigh stopper Michael Turnbull.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first; it was a dour struggle between the opposing midfields with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock.

Preston’s best chance of the match came in the last twenty minutes when Scott Webster was booked for his foul on the edge of the area, allowing Tony Sterjovski to take the resultant free kick. Sterjovski guided the ball around the wall with a venomous strike, only to be denied by a world-class save from Turnbull, the former New Zealand Knights’ keeper diving at full stretch to preserve the scoreline.

Next week the Preston Lions Football Club take on NSL rival, Melbourne Knights in round sixteen of the Foxtel Cup (VPL) on Sunday 24th of June at 3.00pm at the home of the Preston Lions Football Club, BT Connor Reserve.

MD: Too bad for the draw, but the lions have still extended their unbeaten streak to 13 matches.

[prestonlions.com]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

CHEATING STUDENT SPARKS TERROR ALERT

Regional.

Some funny news from the region; A student sparked a terror alert in Bulgaria after he 'borrowed' a walkie talkie set from his secret agent father to cheat in exams.

Georghe Dimitrov, 21, made the mistake of using the tiny device in the middle of a top security alert when government agents were out in force for President Bush's visit. The agents working undercover with similar devices suddenly found their lines blocked as a stream of technical data flooded into their earpieces.

The source of the calls was quickly traced and armed cops together with US agents stormed Sofia's Medical University. They went from class to class until they found the cheating student copying down the data sent by a friend in the school toilets.

The cheat had been sitting an exam in physiology but ended up being dragged from the school in handcuffs and was then locked up for 24 hours while police investigated how he came to have the device. He was released when they accepted he was not part of a terrorist cell trying to block communications.

MD: Too bad for him he was caught, he has been charged with using a radio frequency without a licence and he was also told he had failed his exam

[Ananova]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIAN - WEST AUSTRALIAN BUSSINES FORUM ESTABLISHED IN PERTH

Diaspora.

A Macedonian - West Australian Business Forum was established in Perth, West Australia, upon an initiative by the Macedonian honorary consul Zoran Koseski.

Forum's chairman is eminent entrepreneur Robert Miloseski, which is comprised of several renowned Australian businessmen and former members of the Australian Parliament.

The forum aims at promoting Macedonia as an attractive business destination for Australian investors. Chairman Miloseski and Macedonian consul Koseski so far have held several important meetings with representatives of big Australian companies in order to present Macedonia's economic opportunities. Some of the Australian entrepreneurs are expected to visit Macedonia in the upcoming months. Furthermore, they have announced to invest 150 million Australian dollars.

MD: Bravo! In addition to the business forum, a Parliamentary Association of Macedonian - West Australian Friendship was founded in West Australia, whose objective is to develop the ties between Macedonia and West Australia

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, June 16, 2007

SUPERHIKS ON EUROPEAN TOUR

Entertainment.

Macedonian popular ska-punk band, the Superhiks, has left for a two-week long European tour. They performed in Plzen, Czech Republic yesterday and are having concerts in Ostrava and Prague today and tomorrow. Dresden, Germany is their next venue on 16th and 17th June followed by concerts in Paris on 19th, 20th and 22nd June.

Three more concerts in three towns in France are also planned. A Vienna concert is scheduled for 25th June and the following day, the band is performing in the Slovenian town of Maribor.

MD: They are great! Really, if you don't know them, you should listen to some of their songs! Follow their Myspace from time to time because they promised to convey their impressions and photographs from the tour on their profile.

[Superhiks]

[Superhiks @ Myspace]

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

KARAULA WINS THREE AWARDS AT SETUBAL FESTIVAL

Culture.

"Karaula" (Border Post) directed by Rajko Grlic, the co-production of countries that emerged from former Yugoslavia, triumphed at the 23rd Festroia International Film in Setúbal, Portugal. The festival was held on 1st to 10th June and “Border Post” was awarded two main awards of the festival and an award by reviewers (Golden Dolphin for the best film, Silver Dolphin for the best direction and the renowned Fipresci review jury pronounced it the best film seen in the festival).

The festival is dedicated to small cinematography productions and young filmmakers. Grlic’s film was an interesting and strong competition.
The festival this year was especially dedicated to US independent film. Life Achievements were bestowed to British actor Christopher Lee and the Czech legend, Jiri Menzel.

MD: Bravo! This film was completely shot in Macedonia.

[Karaula]

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIA PRESENTING THE POSITIVE SIDE OF MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY IN ATHENS

National.

As many as 714 ethnic Albanians have been employed in the Macedonian administration over the last nine months, which accounts for 32 percent of overall employments in the same period.

This is one of the results of the Macedonia's efforts for equal representation, which were presented today in Athens, Greece by the Macedonian minister for European integration and health minister Imer Selmani, says an official announcement.

Numerous high-ranking officials and political leaders are taking part at the two-day entitled "Balkan as a source of security and stability in Europe" taking place in the Greek capital.

Macedonia was presented as a positive example for the other countries in the region at the event, whose highlights included also debating on perspectives of the Balkan countries, political deals aimed at achieving permanent peace and stability with special focus on the values achieved through the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

According to the Macedonian electronic media, at the meeting between the Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis and DUI's leader Ali Ahmeti - attending the event as member of the Macedonian delegation - the latter pointed out that the Albanians living in Macedonia have no territorial ambitions towards other countries and called for inclusion of the Albanian factor in the negotiations over the Greek problem with the name of Macedonia.

Besides the Macedonian delegation, representatives of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia as well as of Switzerland and USA are attending the Athens conference.

The list of participants includes also representatives of the Kosovar Albanians and Serbs, officials from the Council of Europe, EU, OSCE and UN.

MD: Macedonia is today probably the most tolerant country in the region towards it's ethnic minorities. Something which we cannot say of host, Greece nor neighbours Albania and Bulgaria.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

SIGHTS OF MACEDONIA

National.

Finally, a petrol station (Лукoйл) has been opened at the "Straza" on the popular road between Skopje and Ohrid. Maybe they can keep all the wild dogs away too who, as we all know, scare tourists when stopping to get some drink or going to the toilet :)

(Photo credit should read MIA)

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:14 am | Permalink | Comments

INTENSIFIED ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN STRUMICA REGION

Culture.

The Strumica-based Office for Monument Protection resumes the excavations and restaurations on several sites and objects across the Strumica region. Recently, due to the forthcoming renovation of the medieval fortress Carevi Kuli (The Tzar's Towers) nearby Strumica, the excavations of this historical complex were intensified (due in October or November, depending on the weather conditions).

- Meanwhile, our expert teams resumed the restaurations of the Rimska Terma (Roman Baths) site, one of the few well-preserved monuments of its kind in Europe. A unique mosaic, dating back to late third or early forth century AD, was unearthed at this site. The mosaic's residues only confirm the paramount cultural importance of the Roman Baths, which is one of a kind in the Balkans, said Office's director Slavica Taseva.

The genuine appearance of the Roman Baths will be determined with the finalisation of the years-long restaurations.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Friday, June 15, 2007

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIMESKA EXHIBITED IN NY

Culture.

An exhibition of photographs by Iva Dimeska has opened at the Macedonian Cultural Centre in New York this week. Entitled “One,” the show includes 12 plotter colour and white-and-black photographs.

Showing her fashion photographs in an unconventional manner as wall paintings, Dimeska directs her works to their legitimate art character. She suppresses the commercial in them but does not avoid the meaning of the term fashion.
The exhibition of 45 plotter photographs by the author has been realized at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje.

Dimeska graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, Art History and Archaeology Department in 2004. A freelance photographer, she has specialized in Paris and New York.

MD: That's great! For those of you in NY, have a look at the link below.

[Gallery MC]

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

TYCOON SMILENSKI HANDED OVER TO MACEDONIA

National.

The shady Macedonian businessman Metodija Smilenski has been extradited to Macedonia yesterday after one-year detention at Belgrade's facility.

He has been handed over to the Macedonian Police at the Tabanovce border crossing, pending transfer to the investigative prison in Shutka, Makfax's reporter informed.

The tycoon's extradition came after Serbian justice minister endorsed the decision for handing over today, just a day before the expiration of the legal deadline of the pre-extradition detention.

One of his outstanding financial frauds refers to bankruptcy of his Export-Import Bank, which inflicted 20 million euros of damages to the State Budget.

Accusations against Smilenski and the ex-President of the National Bank of Macedonia Ljube Trpevski of being responsible for the bank's bust are accepted by many in Macedonia.

Allegations against Smilenski include a large number of financial frauds, money laundering, and recently Macedonian businessman Risto Gushterov won a lawsuit against him, involving frauds amounting to millions of euros.

MD: Smilenski is wanted by the Macedonian authorities for embezzling about 60 million euros of state funds.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

GRUEVSKI: CRVENKOVSKI IS IRRELEVANT PERSON

National.

President Branko Crvenkovski is irrelevant figure in the Macedonian politics, prime minister Nikola Gruevski said today, thus reopening the rift between the two highest ranking state officials.

"He is a person who has very little competencies in the Macedonian political life. We will certainly keep up good communications with him, but he is insignificant and not very important to us. We are facing much greater challenges and we will surely - in compliance with the constitution and the laws, maintain the cohabitation with him", Gruevski said in Bitola today.

Gruevski gave the statement as answering a journalist's question on the current status of the cohabitation between the premier and the president.

The latest wave of discordances between the two politicians broke out yesterday after their meeting, when Gruevski sent a message to Crvenkovski to be cautious when nominating members of the judicial council, advising him to consult the parliamentary parties, especially the opposition.

In the ensuing response, Crvenkovski said that "the well-intentioned advises" of Gruevski are not the right way to achieve the common goals of integration to EU and NATO.

Gruevski toured the villages in Pelagonija region today, promising improvement of the agro-climate in the country and payments to all contract farmers who delivered their tobacco crops to the Prilep Tobacco Company.

MD: And they keep going on....

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, June 14, 2007

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF MARRIAGES, DIVORCES DECLINE

National.

Last year, Macedonia saw the largest number of concluded marriages in the last ten years as well as decline in the number of divorces, showed the latest data of the Macedonian State Statistical Office.

As many as 14.908 couples were married last year, which marks 2.8 percent increase compared to 2005, with permanent increasing trend stretching over the past decade.

As expected, the first-time marriages are the most frequent with women accounting for 92.3 percent and man with 89.9 percent.

As many as 9.3 of all the women that concluded marriages last year entered wedlock for the second-time, while the men take up 7.4 percent in this category.

The average age of women that got married last year ranges 20-24 (39.9 of the total number) whereas the average age of men ranges 25-29 years (37.4 percent).

As many as 1.475 divorces were registered last year. In 2005, 1.552 marriages were terminated compared with 1.645 in 2004. The average age of women that terminated their marriages in 2006 is 25-29 years, i.e. 40-49 years in men.

MD: That's interesting, we thought, as Macedonian women are getting more independent, that divorces were increasing each year.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

MILCO MANCEVSKI HONORARY AMBASSADOR OF CULTURE

Culture.

Film director Milco Mancevski, who won the Golden Lion Award at the renowned Venice Film Festival in 1994, thus putting Macedonia on the cultural map of the world with his debut feature "Before the Rain", was awarded Wednesday with the title Honorary Ambassador of Culture by the Macedonian Government for his contribution in affirming the Macedonian culture in the world.

The title, being awarded for the first time ever, was presented by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. Mancevski will be a honorary ambassador in New York, where he currently resides and works. For the additional promotion of the Macedonian culture, the Government submitted a motion on supplementing the Law on Culture, hence introducing the honorary title - ambassador of culture.

The initiative aims to present the best artistic achievements of Macedonian artists. The title will be awarded to most eminent artists, who are recognised in the country and abroad. The culture ambassador will have no diplomatic status, whilst their engagement will be purely voluntary. The title will be awarded to several other artists to other countries by the end of September.

Milco Mancevski told reporters that the title is an official recognition of his correspondent work from New York, dating back to the 1970s. - I'm planning several film projects, stated Mancevski, adding that his third feature "Shadows" will be finalised in two months time. Following his recent film, he plans on preparing a TV movie.

MD: That's great! His new film 'Shadows' will be completed soon. 'The film will deal the period between the Neolithic and Christianity in Macedonia, which will make the name and country Macedonia a brand,' he said.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIANS BUY THE CHEAPEST FOOD

National.

Macedonian and Bulgarian citizens buy cheapest beverages and food, opposite the Croatian citizens who buy the most expensive in the region, according to the data by the Bulgarian National Statistical institute, published Wednesday in Croatian media.

The beverage and food prices in Macedonia and Bulgaria are twice cheaper than the European Union's average in 2006. In these countries, the 2006 price level indices was 56 points of the EU average with 100 points. Denmark - with 142 points - is most expensive in EU.

The EU candidate countries Croatia (89) and Turkey (84) have price level indices similar to the EU average. The Slovenian price index is 86, Montenegro - 74, Serbia - 67 and Bosnia & Herzegovina - 71.

Price level indices are calculated as the ratio between Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) and exchange rates for each country, in relation to the EU average.

MD: Well as the EU is coming closer and closer, this will probably end soon.

[MIA]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

BUSH'S WATCH STOLEN IN ALBANIA?!

Regional.

Not much to do with Macedonia but anyway, we thought it was interesting.
So, what exactly happened to President George W. Bush's wristwatch when hugging and shaking hands with people in Albania? We may never know.

It seems that one moment Bush was greeting and shaking hands with Albanians on Sunday, while wearing a watch with a dark strap on his left wrist. Moments later, nothing. The watch was no longer on his wrist.

People are wondering. Did it fall off? Did one of his bodyguards remove it? Or did one of the crowd artfully slip it off his wrist and pocket it?

The Albanian media and Web sites around the world are showing the moment that the wrist watch seemingly vanished as he shook hands with people in Fushe Kruje, 15 miles north of Tirana.

The Albanian people treated the president like a rock star or a movie star, shaking hands with him, grabbing him by the arms and wrists, reaching out to embrace him and even ruffling his hair.

The video showed Bush's obvious delight at the attention being poured on him. He continuously reached into the crowd. He was even kissed on the cheek.

Bush's visit to the tiny Balkan country, the first ever by a U.S. president, was considered as historic. Albania issued three postage stamps with Bush's picture and the Statue of Liberty, renamed a street in front of parliament in his honor and awarded him the highest National Flag medal, and the Fushe Kruje Town Council also declared him an honored citizen.

Look at the video here

MD: Well, who knows what happened to the watch:) Bush's security however stated that they took his watch of. Bush did not visited Macedonia, but he did met with our PM (pictured below)

[WFTV]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

SKOPJE'S FIRST CHILDREN EMBASSY DRAWS ATTENTION ON CHILD LABOR ABUSE

National.

The First Children's embassy in the World "Megjashi" warns against the high level of child labor abuse in Macedonia.

In a statement issued on the occasion of 12 June- International Anti-Child Labor Day, Megjashi says that as much as 18.000 children are not included in the education system in Macedonia, while 1.000 are spending their childhood on the street, living with no roof over their heads, parental care or guidance.

There are minors of all nationalities spending their days on the streets across Macedonia, however, most of them (58%) are members of the Roma population.

According to Megjashi's latest data, as many as 15.5 percent of them are pre-school age, 64 percent are 7 to 14-year-old. 88.5 percent of all of them display anti-social behavior. Official data say that 185 million out of a total of 246 million children throughout the world whose labor is abused by adults, are aged under 15.

MD: Megjashi is doing a great job being the first childrens embassy in the world. Keep up the good work!

[Megjashi]

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:14 am | Permalink | Comments